Celebrating Sophia: From Intern to Graduate
One of the most rewarding parts of running Strand + Strategy Communications is creating space for emerging marketing and communications professionals to step into real, meaningful work early in their careers.
From April to August, Sophia Yulo represented as Strand + Strategy’s summer intern, and she quickly became a strategic and insightful part of the work week! During her time, Sophia contributed to several Strand + Strategy blog posts, providing strategic consulting, supporting research for several projects, and even joined client projects and consultations with supervision. Internships are often about learning by doing, and Sophia did a wonderful job diving in to the process, her journey as an intern feels honest, relatable, and heartwarming.
A big shout out to Douglas College’s Business Internship program and team, who thoughtfully facilitated the process (if your organization is interested in supporting future students and internships, you can learn more at Douglas College’s Career Centre).
Photo of Sophia
A Supervisor’s Perspective
When Paige reflects on the summer, one thing stands out above all else: growth.
"What stood out most was watching Sophia’s confidence grow over the course of the summer. She came in eager to learn and left as someone who could hold her own in high-level strategic discussions. She's a strategic thinker with a genuine talent for writing, and she consistently grounded conversations in data and quantitative insights rather than just intuition, a skill that proved especially valuable on Strand + Strategy and various client projects, where her research and advisory contributions added real substance to the team's thinking.”
But it wasn't just the technical chops that made an impression. It was how she showed up.
"She asks insightful questions, communicates proactively, and isn't afraid to ask for help when she needs it. That combination of self-awareness and initiative is rare, and honestly, it's a supervisor's dream!"
Sophia’s Reflections
As she wraps up her time as an intern, Sophia shared a few reflections on her experience. What makes this story worth telling isn't just the glowing feedback, it's the honesty behind it. Sophia has been open about the fact that this internship didn't start easy. She came in with some anxiety and self-doubt, as well as the very real pressure of balancing a part-time internship with four demanding courses in Fall 2025.
In her own words, it was a season that tested her on every level:
“Self-doubts were gnawing at me when I worked on reports for Paige. I knew I was giving quality work, yet at the back of my head, a voice kept telling me my reports were “complicated” or “unorganized”. Lo and behold, Paige enjoyed reading my reports every time! I was on the fence between Paige and another employer, but an interview with both made things clear for me: if other supervisors see mentoring as holding somebody’s hand, that wasn’t my cup of tea. My goal is to learn more about the communications side and somebody who is dedicated in mentoring me, guiding me in the good and the bad. I’ve had my fair share of wonderful supervisors who have consistently shown their care for me, Paige being one of them. Upskilling with her has made me less anxious and fearful of my future after my studies at Douglas College. During our final check-in, she expressed her excitement in my career. Isn’t that uplifting to hear from a Communications expert with over 13 years of experience?”
After a semester of asking incredible questions, consulting for feedback, and leaning into a relationship built on trust and mutual respect, Sophia made it through her internship semester. By the end of the internship, something had shifted. The self-doubt that once told her she was "complicated" or "unorganized" gave way to a quieter, steadier confidence:
"The experience made me further accept and cement my belonging in the Digital Marketing Program, making me realize that I am, in fact, useful. I need to stop doubting my abilities and capabilities!"
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Sophia’s Advice for the Next Cohort
Sophia didn't just walk away with a stronger resume — she walked away with real perspective to share with students coming up behind her:
Attend the seminars, and actually apply what you learn to your resume and cover letter.
Seek out opportunities and employers that align with your specific learning goals — don't settle for mentors that "hold your hand" instead of genuinely guiding you.
Trust that discomfort and growth often arrive together!
As she put it herself, this experience helped her embody Douglas College's own tagline: do what you love and be good at it.
Want to celebrate Sophia or connect with her? Reach out to her on LinkedIn or better yet, buy her a coffee and hear the story firsthand.
Photo of a hand holding up a graduation cap
